I work at a family owned, independent garden center, and yes, we start putting out Christmas merchandise in early October. I see posts on social media about how horrible it is that stores are displaying the holiday...
C. L. Fornari's Blog
I Love Heath and Heather
Name: Heath (Erica cinerea) and Heather (Calluna vulgaris) Type of Plant: These two plants are commonly called “heather” but they are two...
Gnomeinkulture
Move over hugelkulture and hay bale gardening…there’s a far better, centuries-old way to create productive gardens with the practice of burying of...
What A Wonderful Weed
I see rosettes of green In lawns and gardens too They are healthy food For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful weed. Apologies to...
I Love Mountain Magic Tomatoes
Name: Mountain Magic Hybrid Tomato Type of Plant: This F1 hybrid tomato is larger than a cherry but smaller than the typical sandwich slicer…but...
I Love Viola x wittrockiana aka Spring Pansies
Name: Viola x wittrockiana aka Spring Pansies Type of Plant: The most popular cool-weather annual. Why I Love This Plant: For those in the...
Spring Foraging on Cape Cod
Join us! Nationally known forager, Ellen Zachos, is on-Cape in April for a class on spring foraging. (Note: Rain date is Thursday the 20th)
I Love Borago officinalis aka Borage
Name: Borago officinalis aka Borage Type of Plant: An annual herb native to the Mediterranean. Why I Love This Plant: While this plant is grown on...
I Love Eurybia divaricata aka White Wood Aster
Type of Plant: Perennial that’s native to the Eastern North America, hardy in zones 3 to 8 Why I Love This Plant: This is a groundcover plant, one...
I Love Hybrid Primrose
Name: Hybrid Primroses Type of Plant: These gift plants are widely sold at this time of year to remind us that spring is coming. They are bred for...
I Love The Princess Anne David Austin Rose
Name: Princess Anne Rose from David Austin Type of Plant: This is an English shrub rose that grows about 4 feet tall and wide, with flowers that...
I Love the Drift Series of Roses
Name: Drift Roses Type of Plant: Low-growing, disease resistant, and repeat flowering shrub roses from Star Roses and Plants Why I Love This Plant:...
See You In Seattle!
Ellen Zachos and I are pleased to once again be recording a live edition of Plantrama at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. We'll be...
Create it, Write it, Plant it, Make it Grow
Words to live by.
I Love Mitchella repens aka Partridge Berry
Name: Mitchella repens aka partridge berry Type of Plant: A low-growing, evergreen native perennial that is hardy in Zones 3 to 8. Why I Love This...
I Love Amsonia hubrichtii aka Threadleaf Blue Star
Name: Amsonia hubrichtii aka Threadleaf Blue Star Type of Plant: A native perennial that flowers in early June on Cape Cod. Growing to about 3’...
Cape Cod Seed Starting Guide
A visual guide for when seeds get started on Cape Cod and the Islands.
I Love Impatiens walleriana Beacon®
Name: Impatiens walleriana Beacon® Type of Plant: The free-flowering, grown from seed Impatiens you have long known and loved, with one huge...
I Love Pentas Lanceolata aka Star Flower
Name: Pentas lanceolata aka star flower Type of Plant: Perennial in Zone 10 to 11 but an annual in most of the USA. Grows best in full sun. Why I...